There was talk about off-board ticketing, but in Montpellier, their TAM trams have on-board ticketing, which consists of taking your ticket and just having it staped by one of many stamping machines on the train. It's pretty simple, but not secure.
I could just walk onto the train without paying, but it has been said;
''A society that is willing to give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither, and lose both.'' (George Washington).